Genetics, Vol. 178, 583-587, January 2008, Copyright © 2008
doi:10.1534/genetics.107.079038

Investigations of CHD1 Function in Transcription and Development of Drosophila melanogaster

Joint Science Department, W. M. Keck Science Center, Scripps, Claremont McKenna, and Pitzer Colleges, Claremont, California 91711

1 Corresponding author: Joint Science Department, W. M. Keck Science Center, 925 N. Mills Ave., Scripps, Claremont McKenna, and Pitzer Colleges, Claremont, CA 91711.
E-mail: jarmstrong{at}jsd.claremont.edu

In this report we describe chd1 mutant alleles and show that the CHD1 chromatin-remodeling factor is important for wing development and fertility. While CHD1 colocalizes with elongating RNA polymerase II (Pol II) on polytene chromosomes, elongating Pol II can persist on chromatin in the absence of CHD1. These results clarify the roles of chromatin remodelers in transcription and provide novel insights into CHD1 function.